Riverside Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims Sexually Abused at Riverside Juvenile Hall

Juvenile detention centers across California are designed to rehabilitate minors who have committed crimes. While incarcerated in these facilities, juveniles have constitutional rights that cannot be violated. Unfortunately, these places are often plagued by allegations of sexual abuse and assault. Victims who have suffered at this facility can pursue compensation via a Riverside Juvenile Hall sexual abuse claim.

Seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse, including those in juvenile facilities, is one of our priorities at Injury Lawyer Team. We know what it takes to win a California juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuit, so we can help you build a strong case to maximize compensation and hold the perpetrator accountable.

Sexual Abuse at Riverside Juvenile Hall

One well-known case involved Riverside Juvenile Hall in California. In early 2025, a former correctional officer at the facility was arrested for sexually assaulting a juvenile inmate. Cecilia Pulido was taken into custody after members of the Riverside County Probation Department contacted the authorities following the abuse of a minor at the facility.

Though Pulido was only hired in 2023, she resigned before the sex abuse allegations came to light. Additionally, the correctional officer had been previously booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for molesting a child and other sexual contact concerns. At Riverside, Pulido and the boy engaged in sexual activity at least once.

How Long Do Victims Have to File a Lawsuit Against California Juvenile Detention Centers Under the Child Victims Act?

California passed state law § 340.1, which states there is no longer a statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual assault. That means you can pursue legal action for sex abuse at any time if you were an underage victim.

However, if you are at least 40 years old when you file a sexual abuse lawsuit, you must submit the claim with certificates of merit. These documents must be signed by an attorney and a mental health practitioner, confirming that there is a reasonable basis for the lawsuit.

Victims of juvenile detention sexual abuse are allowed to sue the county and its employees if they are sexually abused while staying in a county-run juvenile center (Gov. Code § 905(m)). Ordinarily, you may have to contend with a strict six-month statute of limitations for claims against a government entity, but this law eliminates that deadline for California sexual abuse lawsuits.

What Financial Compensation Can Sex Abuse Victims Recover?

The purposes of a youth detention center sexual abuse lawsuit are to hold the abuser or negligent party accountable and to pursue financial compensation for your legal damages. Civil sex abuse lawsuits may include the following damages in the settlement.

Economic Damages

These damages are easier to assess because they are typically associated with specific amounts. Here are some of the most common economic losses in sex abuse cases:

• Lost wages – For an inability to work due to injuries suffered when the abuse occurred
• Diminished earning capacity – The victim may have difficulty finding employment because of their trauma
• Medical expenses – Pays for the cost of surgery, emergency care, rehabilitation, therapy, and other treatments

Non-Economic Damages

In many civil lawsuits, non-economic losses can significantly increase the value of settlements. Here are the most common non-economic damages associated with sexual abuse lawsuits:

• Emotional distress – The psychological harm caused by the sexual abuse can lead to PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide ideation
• Pain and suffering – The physical suffering caused by the sexual assault can also add to the case value
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Many who have been sexually abused find it difficult to enjoy many aspects of life based on their past trauma

Punitive Damages

In some cases, a judge or jury may award additional compensation, known as punitive damages. This type of loss is considered in cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups. In juvenile detention facilities, legal action for sexual abuse often leads to punitive damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Claims?

Multiple parties may be held liable for sex abuse victims who file claims against juvenile detention institutions, including:

• Individual abusers
• Correctional officers
• Medical staff
• Third-party contractors
• The county
• The state of California
• Other government entities
• Negligent administrators
• Other inmates
• Wardens and prison officials

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Filing a claim against a juvenile detention institution in California can be complex. You must navigate various laws, such as the CA Child Victims Act and the different statute of limitations laws. It can also be hard to gather evidence after the abuse occurred within a juvenile facility, as these institutions often lack transparency.

Injury Lawyer Team can help you overcome these legal challenges if you have been sexually abused at a detention center for minors. Our legal services include:

• Investigating the sexual abuse
• Assessing damages
• Gathering evidence
• Securing expert testimony
• Speaking to witnesses
• Submitting subpoenas for facility documentation
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Litigating in civil court if necessary

Past Sexual Abuse Cases We Have Settled

If you have suffered from juvenile detention sexual abuse, you need an experienced team of lawyers on your side to maximize your chances of a fair settlement. Our attorneys have decades of success in cases where sexual abuse occurred, maintaining a 98% success rate.

Here are some past settlements we have won for survivors of abuse:

• $15 million – Several boys were groomed and abused by a private school coach. The institution’s failure to monitor the coach’s behavior and prior complaints contributed heavily to the settlement. The size of the recovery reflected both the number of victims and the long-term harm they had suffered. The case also shed light on how trusted educators can exploit access to children when oversight is lacking.
• $5 million – Two men reached a resolution after being sexually abused by their therapist. The position of trust, repeated misconduct, and psychological harm played major roles in the outcome. Expert testimony on the abuse of professional authority strengthened the claim. The settlement underscored how vulnerable patients are when the therapeutic relationship is exploited.
• $1.16 million – A teenager was assaulted by a guard at a youth detention facility. The failure to provide adequate security, abuse of authority, and the victim’s age factored into the case value. The case raised broader questions about the treatment of minors in state-run facilities. Advocates emphasized the need for independent oversight of juvenile facilities.
• $1 million – A man was abused while enrolled in an after-school program. The organization’s negligence in supervising staff and protecting children contributed to the settlement. The program’s failure to act on prior complaints added weight to the claim. The case underscored the importance of thorough background checks in youth-centered programs.

Book a Free Consultation With Our Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today

Although the trauma you experienced cannot be undone, you can secure your financial future and demand accountability from juvenile center staff members with a civil lawsuit. You can seek damages separate from criminal proceedings when you file claims in civil court, ensuring the criminal trial has no bearing on your potential for a settlement.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. We have experience serving as legal representation for clients who have been wronged by a government entity, other inmates, and prison staff members.

If you are considering a sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us today at 866-757-6452 to schedule a free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.